Pics: Nayana J C
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Feb 18: Karnataka Bank commemorated its Founders’ Day with grandeur at the bank’s head office auditorium in Mangaluru on February 18. The highlight of the celebration was the prestigious Founders’ Day lecture delivered by distinguished IAS officer (retd) Debasish Panda, widely regarded as a visionary bureaucrat and policy reformer.
The programme was presided over by the chairman of the bank, P Pradeep Kumar, in the presence of the managing director & CEO Raghavendra S Bhat, members of the board of directors, and senior executives.
The event commenced with an invocation followed by floral tributes to the founder directors and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Raghavendra S Bhat welcomed the gathering and introduced the distinguished speaker.
Delivering the lecture on the theme “Enhanced Role of Financial Services: Viksit Bharat 2047”, Debasish Panda emphasised the transformative role of financial institutions in shaping India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. He underlined the need for robust financial inclusion, technological innovation, and responsible banking practices to support sustainable economic growth.
In his presidential address, P Pradeep Kumar highlighted the bank’s consistent efforts in digital transformation. Referring to the national economic growth rate of 7–8%, he observed that the banking sector must grow at nearly double that pace to remain competitive. He stressed that digital transformation is a continuous journey requiring sustained investment in technology and people.
The chairman also recalled the pioneering contributions of former leader Srikesh Reddy, particularly his initiatives in agriculture lending. On the occasion, the English version of the Kannada book on KSN Adiga was formally released by the chief guest.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the bank announced commitments to Samskritha Bharathi, Delhi; Rotary Club, Madras, Chennai; and B M Ramakrishna Hathwar Government High School, Beejadi, Kundapura taluk.
The celebration concluded with an all-women classical music ensemble featuring vidushi Manasi Prasad (vocal), vidushi Sukanya Ramgopal (ghatam tarang), vidushi C V Shruthi (violin), vidushi Y G Srilatha Nikshith (veena), vidushi Ranjani Siddanthi Venkatesh (mridangam), and vidushi Bhagyalakshmi Krishna (morsing).